Three years after a deadly Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces political challenges before upcoming elections. Reports say Arab leaders, including the UAE president, warned Netanyahu about the attack in advance, but he did not share this information with Israeli security agencies.
Key Facts
On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing 1,205 people and taking 251 hostages.
Israel responded with a military campaign in Gaza, with over 74,000 deaths reported by Gaza’s health ministry.
Reports say UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed warned Netanyahu about a planned Hamas attack about 10 days before it happened.
Netanyahu reportedly said Israel was prepared but did not inform Israeli security agencies about the warning.
Netanyahu’s office denied the reports, calling them false and politically motivated, and has sued the newspaper Haaretz.
International media and some intelligence sources support the story of advance warnings.
The UAE said it shares intelligence with Israel as needed but has not directly confirmed specific warnings.
Netanyahu visited Abu Dhabi secretly in late September 2026 and met with the UAE president.
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A long drought in the UK’s West Country led to the worst wheat harvest ever, cutting yields by up to half on some farms. Dairy farmers faced high costs feeding cows during dry conditions, although milk production only fell slightly.
Key Facts
The 2026 summer was the hottest on record with no rain during key growing months of June and July.
Charles Day’s wheat harvest in Gloucestershire was reduced by about 50% due to drought.
UK-wide cereal harvest was the lowest ever, with wheat down by around 11% or 3 million tonnes.
Farmers in the South West faced even worse losses: some crops like spring barley and beans were down more than 50%.
Dairy milk production dropped just 4.5% because farmers had to feed cows no matter the weather.
Sarah Godwin’s family dairy farm spent over £100,000 extra on feed and £15,000 on cooling equipment for cows.
The drought caused more animal health problems like lameness, low fertility, and mastitis.
Higher costs and lower harvests are causing serious financial pressure on farmers.
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Lundy Island, known for its puffins and wildlife, is running very low on water due to a long dry period and may have to close. The island depends on rainwater and underground water sources, which are almost empty, so emergency water shipments are being brought from the mainland to support the few residents living there.
Key Facts
Lundy Island is located in the Bristol Channel off the north Devon coast.
The island is famous for puffins and seals and attracts many birdwatchers.
It has only 28 residents who rely entirely on rainwater and boreholes for water.
This summer was the hottest and driest on record, causing water levels to drop drastically.
Reservoirs fell to just 13% full, forcing emergency water deliveries from the mainland starting in August.
Water restrictions are in place, including removing bath plugs to save water.
The island has started using water from ponds, normally for wildlife, as a last effort to avoid closure.
The seasonal ferry bringing water will stop later this month, making the situation even more urgent.
Residents hope for rain to refill the reservoirs and groundwater, but it could take weeks.
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Libya’s eastern-based parliament voted to remove Aguila Saleh as speaker after he led for 12 years. They elected Al-Salhin Abdelnabi al-Obeidi as the new speaker and introduced new rules limiting the speaker’s term to one year.
Key Facts
Aguila Saleh served as Libya’s parliament speaker for 12 years before being replaced.
The House of Representatives, with 170 members, elected Al-Salhin Abdelnabi al-Obeidi as the new speaker.
A new rule limits the speaker and deputy speakers to a single 12-month term.
There was growing dissatisfaction among MPs about Saleh’s leadership and decisions made without consulting them.
Libya remains divided between two rival governments: one in Tripoli and another in the east, supported by military commander Khalifa Haftar.
Saleh was known as an ally of Haftar but lost influence as Haftar’s family consolidated power.
The parliament is based in the eastern city of Benghazi, controlled by Haftar’s faction.
Efforts are underway, including a UN-backed agreement, to unify Libya and hold elections within two years.
The U.S., under President Donald Trump, supports a plan to reunify Libya, led by a senior adviser for Arab and African affairs.
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Jon Dean, who ran The Alma Tavern in Worcester for seven years, has closed the pub due to rising costs and fewer customers. He says high taxes, energy bills, wages, and other expenses have made it impossible to stay open, despite government efforts like cutting business rates for pubs.
Key Facts
Jon Dean closed The Alma Tavern in Worcester after seven years of running the pub.
He had to lay off 14 or 15 employees because of financial pressures.
Rising costs include energy bills, taxes, wages, and business rates.
Customers are spending less, visiting less often because of the cost of living crisis.
The government has cut business rates by 20% to help pubs and hospitality venues.
Over 800 businesses, including top UK chefs, have asked the government for a VAT reduction to avoid more closures.
UKHospitality says the hospitality sector's tax burden has grown too much in recent years.
Star Pubs owns The Alma Tavern but leases it to an independent operator who decided to close it.
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Amar Ilyas, a man convicted of sexually abusing five girls in Sheffield, fled to Pakistan while on bail before his trial. His victims feel betrayed because he kept his passport during the legal process, allowing him to leave the country and avoid his sentence so far.
Key Facts
Amar Ilyas was convicted of 20 sexual offences against five girls, committed between 2004 and 2007 in Sheffield.
He was sentenced in his absence to at least 27 years in prison.
He fled to Pakistan in July 2025 while on court bail and did not return for his trial.
Ilyas was allowed to keep his passport during bail, which enabled him to travel abroad.
His two younger brothers are also in prison for sexual offences.
Victims say they feel unsafe and disappointed with the justice system for letting him keep his passport.
The National Crime Agency is trying to bring Ilyas back to the UK for sentencing.
The government said decisions about bail restrictions, like taking passports, are made by independent judges.
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Mo Mahir, a 22-year-old student from West Bromwich, learned to bake by watching YouTube videos and taught himself over time. He is competing in the new series of the Great British Bake Off and has impressed judges and viewers with his baking skills.
Key Facts
Mo Mahir is 22 years old and studies at Birmingham City University.
He began baking after watching a YouTube video about making a mug cake in a microwave when he was nine.
Baking is not common in his Bengali cultural background.
On the show, Mahir was named star baker in week one for his peanut and caramel chocolate stout cake.
In week two, he baked a biscuit mosaic which was shown on TV.
People recognize him in Birmingham and have sent supportive messages online.
His former teacher praised his baking talent and anticipated his success on the show.
Other Bake Off contestants come from different jobs, including a doctor, sprinter, hairdresser, and drag artist.
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Kibbutz Nir Oz, a small Israeli community near the Gaza border, was heavily attacked by Hamas forces on 7 October 2023. Many residents were killed or taken hostage during the assault, and the community is now trying to rebuild while remembering those lost.
Key Facts
Nir Oz had about 400 residents before the 7 October 2023 attacks.
Hamas fighters, including elite forces and some children, attacked the kibbutz.
Forty-one residents and foreign workers were killed during the attack.
Seventy-six people were kidnapped to Gaza; some hostages were killed in captivity.
The last living hostages from Nir Oz were returned to Israel in October 2025.
Many homes were destroyed or burned, leaving mostly concrete safe rooms behind.
Survivors remember the attack as the worst day in Israel’s history.
Some residents want to keep damaged buildings as reminders of the attack.
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Three years after a conflict started between Israel and Gaza, thousands of Palestinians have died and many more have been injured. Despite a ceasefire declared in October 2025, attacks and damage continue in Gaza, severely affecting hospitals, water supplies, homes, and schools.
Key Facts
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, after Palestinian groups attacked southern Israel, killing 1,139 people and taking about 240 captive.
At least 74,000 Palestinians have died, including 21,000 children, which is about 3 percent of Gaza’s population before the war.
Over 175,000 people in Gaza have been injured, with about 24 percent needing long-term medical care.
Since the October 2025 ceasefire, Israel has attacked Gaza on 325 out of 361 days, killing more than 1,000 people.
Around 94 percent of Gaza’s hospitals and clinics are damaged or out of service, leaving only 42 functioning.
Water systems in Gaza are heavily damaged, leaving 91 percent of households with unsafe or very limited water supplies.
About 82 percent of homes in Gaza are destroyed or damaged, displacing 1.98 million people—90 percent of the population.
Approximately 93 percent of schools in Gaza need full rebuilding, affecting over 700,000 students.
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O2 has signed a new 10-year deal worth £200 million to keep the naming rights for the O2 venue in London until 2038. The agreement represents a large increase in payment and supports O2's role in offering ticket access and entertainment experiences to its customers.
Key Facts
O2 agreed to a £200 million deal to retain naming rights for the O2 venue in London for 10 more years.
The new deal extends O2’s partnership with the venue until at least 2038.
O2 will pay around £20 million per year, nearly 50% more than under the previous agreement.
The O2 had its best financial year in 2025, with profits up 18% to £76.5 million and revenues rising 14% to £148.6 million.
The venue hosted 239 shows in the past year, more than double the minimum number planned in early contracts.
A key benefit for O2 customers is a 50% increase in priority tickets, giving earlier access to live event tickets.
More than 2.5 million people visit the main O2 arena each year, with 7.5 million attending other events there.
O2’s parent company, Virgin Media O2, aims to use the partnership to keep customers loyal despite recent price rise challenges.
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An independent investigation is underway into 10 military training sites in England after claims of rape and sexual abuse were made at the Army Foundation College for under-18s. The Armed Forces Commissioner, Polly Miller-Perkins, is leading the inquiry to find out if there are wider problems and will make public recommendations to improve safety and welfare.
Key Facts
The investigation focuses on 10 UK military training sites, including the Army Foundation College in Harrogate.
Four young women reported sexual assault and harassment at the Army Foundation College.
One woman said she was raped over several hours by fellow junior soldiers.
Polly Miller-Perkins, Armed Forces Commissioner, has power to visit military sites without warning and examine their practices.
The investigation will include visits to officer training schools like Sandhurst and the Britannia Royal Naval College.
Miller-Perkins aims to find systemic problems and suggest government actions to protect personnel.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has called for cultural changes to ensure respect for women in the military.
Some survivors have expressed doubt that the investigation will lead to real change or honest responses from the military.
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At the Conservative party conference, a tapestry featuring Robert Jenrick mocks his loss in the leadership contest to Kemi Badenoch and his departure from the Tory party to Reform UK. Party members openly express strong negative feelings about Jenrick and celebrate his exit.
Key Facts
Robert Jenrick lost the Conservative leadership contest to Kemi Badenoch.
Jenrick was later removed from the party after planning to join Reform UK.
At the conference, a tapestry depicts Badenoch as a warrior and Jenrick as a defeated "turncoat."
Tory members publicly mock Jenrick and enjoy his absence.
Jenrick is now the economy spokesperson for Reform UK.
Some former supporters of Jenrick feel betrayed by his actions.
Tory deputy leader Alex Burghart ruled out bringing defectors like Jenrick back to the party.
Badenoch’s supporters say Jenrick’s departure has united their party behind her leadership.
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Two 14-year-old girls in Devon, England, started a project called Wild Pets where children breed harvest mice at home to help bring the species back to the wild. The harvest mouse is the UK’s smallest native rodent, and the project aims to release hundreds of mice to revive their population in nature reserves.
Key Facts
Wild Pets was founded by Eva Wishart and Emily Smith, who successfully bred and released hundreds of harvest mice.
The harvest mouse has a unique tail that can hold objects and helps it climb grass stems.
Agricultural changes have made grassland habitats scarce, threatening harvest mice populations.
Children aged 8 to 13 in Devon can join the project to breed mice at home and release them into the wild.
The project offers training and provides mice and equipment for the breeding process.
Previous releases into nature reserves have shown that the new mouse population can survive and reproduce in the wild.
The project is supported by ecologists, local councils, and environmental organizations.
The initiative aims to help children connect with nature and contribute to wildlife conservation.
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President Donald Trump is campaigning for the upcoming midterm elections, highlighting strong economic indicators while downplaying concerns about high living costs. Many Americans disagree, saying inflation and prices are still high, which worries Republican candidates running for office as they decide how closely to support the president’s message.
Key Facts
President Trump claims the U.S. has the best economic numbers in history.
Important economic issues like inflation (3.4%) and high prices for gas ($4.37 per gallon) and beef are causing concern.
Most Americans feel the economy is getting worse, according to recent surveys.
Only about 17% approve of President Trump’s handling of the cost of living; 26% approve of his overall management of the economy.
Many Trump policies, including tariffs and immigration enforcement, are unpopular among voters.
Republicans face a tough choice: support Trump’s positive economic claims or acknowledge financial struggles to appeal to voters.
Florida Congressman Byron Donalds, a strong Trump supporter, is running for governor and talks openly about economic difficulties facing many residents.
Donalds avoids mentioning Trump in speeches and focuses on his own financial challenges to connect with voters.
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People in Israel gathered at memorials to remember the attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023. The attack killed nearly 1,200 people and led to about 250 people being captured and taken to Gaza.
Key Facts
The attack happened on October 7, 2023.
Hamas led the attack on Israeli border communities.
Almost 1,200 people were killed in several places.
About 250 people were taken captive and brought to Gaza.
Israelis held memorial gatherings to mark the anniversary of the attack.
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Christopher Alan Saunders, a former Catholic bishop in Broome, Australia, was sentenced to six years and six months in prison for sexually abusing two young Aboriginal men between 2008 and 2019. He will be eligible for parole after serving four years and six months, and this case marks one of the highest-ranking Catholic clergy convictions for sexual abuse in Australia.
Key Facts
Saunders was found guilty of 13 sexual offense charges, including sexual penetration without consent and multiple indecent assaults.
The abuse involved two young Aboriginal men and took place between 2008 and 2019.
Saunders was sentenced to six years and six months in prison, with parole eligibility after four years and six months.
Saunders held the position of bishop of Broome from 1996 until he stepped aside in 2020 after abuse claims surfaced.
The abuse reportedly occurred during alcohol-fueled parties held at church properties.
Some charges were dismissed due to lack of evidence or acquittal by the jury.
Pope Francis accepted Saunders’ resignation a year after he stepped down.
A church investigation paused during the police case will now continue, and its findings will affect Saunders’ church status.
Archbishop Timothy Costelloe acknowledged the victims’ courage during the legal process and described the crimes as a betrayal of trust.
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A naval drone hit an oil tanker near the Russian resort city of Sochi, causing a large fire and thick smoke. The crew of 23 Indian sailors was rescued, and firefighting efforts are planned once it is safe to approach the vessel. Separately, drone attacks also targeted two commercial vessels near Bulgaria, and Russian strikes hit Ukrainian cities, causing damage and casualties.
Key Facts
An oil tanker flying the Liberian flag was hit by a naval drone off Sochi, Russia, causing a major fire at sea.
The fire produced heavy black smoke visible from the resort city of Sochi, which has about 500,000 residents.
All 23 crew members on the tanker, who are Indian citizens, were rescued.
Firefighters will respond once the blaze becomes less intense and rescue boats can safely get near the ship.
Russia and Ukraine have both targeted commercial ships in the Black Sea since their conflict began.
Bulgaria reported drone attacks on two commercial ships about 80 miles off its coast, the first in its exclusive economic zone.
Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy blamed Russia for the drone attacks near Bulgaria and for recent strikes inside Ukraine, including the capital Kyiv.
Russian missile attacks damaged buildings and infrastructure in Kyiv and the southeastern city of Dnipro, killing at least two people.
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Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch will say that British politics faces a "battle of ideas" between her party and the Labour government. She plans to present the Conservatives as focused on economic growth and lower taxes, contrasting with Labour’s approach, ahead of the next general election.
Key Facts
Kemi Badenoch will deliver a speech at the Conservative party conference in Birmingham.
She says the differences with Labour go to the core of what kind of country the UK wants to be.
The Conservatives have pledged £10 billion for a UK air defence system.
The party proposes cutting employer National Insurance contributions on earnings for 21 to 24-year-olds from 15% to 7.5%.
Badenoch criticizes Labour for higher taxes and economic policies she calls "failed ideas of the past."
Labour claims the Conservatives failed to grow the economy during their 14 years in power.
The Conservatives plan to reduce the 40% inheritance tax rate and oppose new property taxes planned by Labour.
Badenoch says the Conservatives want to return to a party that supports individuals keeping more of their earnings.
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A 200-year-old cottonwood tree was cut down to allow the expansion of a double border wall between the US and Mexico. Activists had protested and camped by the tree for months to try to stop it from being removed.
Key Facts
The cottonwood tree was about 200 years old.
It was located at the US-Mexico border.
The tree was cut down to make space for a 44-kilometer stretch of border wall.
The wall being expanded is a double barrier, meaning two parallel walls.
Activists protested for several months to try to save the tree.
As part of their protest, they camped near the tree.
Despite these efforts, the tree was ultimately removed.
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Pornhub has returned to Australia after eight months of being blocked due to new age verification laws. Now, only adults using Apple devices who verify their age through Apple's system can access the site.
Key Facts
Pornhub left Australia in March because of new laws requiring users to prove they are over 18 to view adult content.
The laws aim to protect children from harmful content and punish platforms that do not comply.
Critics raised concerns about data privacy and the possibility of tricking age checks using methods like facial recognition or fake IDs.
Apple introduced an age verification system in Australia that makes devices child-safe by default until users confirm they are adults.
Pornhub’s parent company, Aylo, supports device-based age verification as it protects privacy better than requiring users to give personal info to many websites.
Only Apple device users who pass the age verification can see the full adult content on Pornhub in Australia.
This system also makes it harder for users to bypass restrictions using VPNs, which mask their location.
Australia’s online safety regulator enforces these laws to protect minors from inappropriate content online.
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